Jane Goodall
Last Wednesday, October 1, the British scientist and activist Jane Goodall, known worldwide for her contributions and outreach about chimpanzees, passed away at the age of 91. Goodall left an immeasurable legacy; her studies on these animals bring us closer to understanding our closest ancestors.
Perhaps many of you greet by saying Bonjour or good morning, while other creatures greet differently. At that moment, the acclaimed scientist Jane Goodall proceeded to make the exact sounds that chimpanzees use to greet and communicate with each other. At that conference, Goodall didn't care about what others might say; her only goal was to raise awareness about the importance of these animals and their place in the world beyond human needs.
Born in the United Kingdom in 1934, young Jane began her journey as an animal rights activist after receiving a small stuffed chimpanzee. This toy fascinated her so much that it led her to study ethnology and become interested in the qualities of chimpanzees.
Throughout her life, Jane Goodall focused on the colonies of chimpanzees inhabiting Tanzania, an African country that suffered colonial oppression from its own country of origin, Great Britain. The discoveries she made through her research regarding the feelings and emotions of chimpanzees—such as the achievement of proving that chimpanzees dream at night—allowed us to reflect on our relationship with nature and the beings that inhabit and are part of it.
In a materialistic and neoliberal world, Goodall chose the conservation and protection of the environment. In a context where the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly palpable in society, Goodall decided to raise awareness about our common home, reminding us that this is our only planet.
But her activism was not limited only to defending animal rights. In a video she filmed for Netflix, delivering her last words which was published in recent days, Goodall expresses her desire for a special spaceship to take Elon Musk, Netanyahu, Trump, Putin, and Xi away so they don't continue to destroy our world.
Jane Goodall may have physically disappeared, but her legacy endures in the scientific world and in the women who will follow in her footsteps. May her memory be a revolution.
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